Warning

PHS gears up for Ron Thon

The second-ranked Powell Panther wrestling program set its sights on this weekend’s Ron Thon Invitational in Riverton with a pair of impressive dual victories last week. Powell took down No. 4 Worland by a 46-27 final count before traveling to No. 5 Lander and bringing home a 55-15 victory.

Facing off against Worland in the Panthers’ final home dual of the 2012-2013 season, Noah Wozney got Powell off to a good start with a 4-2 victory at 106 ponds. Nic Urbach and Colbee Craig followed with second-period wins by fall at 113 and 120 pounds, respectively, to stake the Panthers to a 15-0 lead.

Worland pressed Dylan Rood to the mat to crack the scoreboard at 126 pounds, but never was able to get momentum from the win. Andrew Feller returned Powell to the scoreboard by rallying in the third period for a 9-6 victory. Kye Catlin added a win by fall, stretching Powell’s lead to 24-6.

Worland mounted a run in the middle weights, scoring back-to-back falls over Jacob Davis and Anthony Lujan, the latter coming after Lujan had built a 5-0 lead.

Mike Mundy voluntarily gave up an escape early in the third period of his match, but was never able to get his opponent back to the mat in a narrow 5-4 decision loss that pulled Worland back to within 24-21 and caused a few nervous moments for Panther fans.

Those were quelled quickly. Tyler Patterson won by fall midway through the second period at 170 pounds. Spencer Shultz added a mid-third period fall while Zach Thompson clinched a Panther victory by controlling his match at 195 pounds for a 14-5 major decision.

The dual ended with Worland and Powell exchanging wins by fall to preserve the Panthers’ 19-point win. Erik Denney picked up a win by fall midway through the third period at 285 pounds for the Panthers’ win. Riley Stringer was caught midway through the second period to account for Worland’s final six points.

The Panthers’ lightweights got the team off to a fast start again the following night in Lander. Chance Karst picked up a 17-2 technical fall victory to begin Powell’s night. Urbach added a win by fall while Craig took a 4-2 decision to give Powell a 14-0 lead.

Rood came out on the short side of a 7-2 decision to give Lander its first points. Feller and Catlin answered with back-to-back falls for the Panthers.

Lander ended the streak with a win by fall over Davis at 145, but Lujan answered for Powell. Mundy also recorded a fall and Patterson followed with a win by forfeit that lifted the Panthers to a 44-9 lead.

Shultz lost by fall at 182 pounds for Lander’s final points of the night. The match ended with Thompson picking up a forfeit victory and Stringer and Denney each scoring decision wins.

Powell travels to Riverton this weekend for the Ron Thon Invitational. Considered Wyoming’s premiere high school wrestling tournament, the Ron Thon is expected to draw most of the state’s wrestling schools, making for some of the state’s most anticipated matches.

“It’s a big one,” said Panther coach Nate Urbach. “It’s a fun one to watch and compete at.”

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